Abandon Ship! Many posting here have suggested that it might be a good idea to jump ship to Starwood or Fairfield Inns where the vitals might make be better. As recent postings at the Starwood site suggests, many full service Westins and Starwoods don't have lounges or offer breakfast coupons.
I'm currently at a Fairfield Inn and - woe is me - they've removed the french toast from the food offerings. But, gee, last night they had a 35 per cent occupancy rate - in the past, 65 percent would be the norm. Think there's any connection between the removal of the french toast and the drop off? Could people be staying away in protest? If you got a meeting with a Marriot VP, I trust you would learn what should be self evident: business isn't so good and cuts have to be made.
Most of you are arguing that it would be better in the long run if Marriott kept the lounge and things designed to make you "feel special" at the status quo. I suspect that any money spent restoring these things would come at the expense - in part - from Marriott hotel staff. Just a guess.
If "feeling special" is so important, I guess a "careful shopper" would have to call every full sevice Marriott, Hilton, Hyatt, and Starwood in an area and find out, in fact, what exactly is being offered to you as an elite. Aren't there more important things to do in life?
I may not be swaying anyone, but I figure if I keep sending this message in various ways, I might, at least, generate some thought and get a few folk to acknowledge that there are different ways to approach this issue.
trying to take these in the order of my boldfaced above
1. Abandon Ship > yep.. pretty much what I'm trying to do; however some of my travels don't leave much alternative than to stay in a MR property; hence I'll still be forced into 35 nights this year at MR props which will most likely be FI's in small rural areas where that is my best choice
2. No but they do have suites; and besides whats the difference if Marriott does have them and they are closed or at best, have marginal selection.. and I do mean marginal.. wheres the competitive advantage.. oh yeah there isn't one
3. Could people be staying away? you don't know any more than I do.. but it appears so.. unless you work for MR or have access to their system; how can you say that they are 35% full; do you count newspapers in front of doors when they deliver them and divide by the total number of rooms.
4. business isn't good.. well thank you sherlock for that piece of information; cuts have to be made; well the Marriott biz model must not be right if they are the only ones who have to shut down lounges on the weekends; if they are the only ones told not to "over" achieve
5. How can you say that lounges being left open would be at the expense of marriott staff; if anything; it keeps a minimum of one (most likely more) working two additional days a week; how do you know other cuts would come from staff; or do you work for Marriott?
6 feeling special > do research > thats what I do on here every day > check my post looking for information on the spg board (Sheraton Anaheim vs Sheraton Park Resort Anaheim).. I'm inquiring on the differences including whats in the lounge.. its done every day.. by the way.. these stays up till this year would have been at the Marriott anaheim.. no more.. see #1 abandon ship
7. swaying anyone.. glad you finally realize that; if he has swayed you.. please post and tell us how??? I would love to hear this
8. oh you have generated thought.. although probably not in the way you intended
